BlogTourNola: Antiquing on Magazine Street, New Orleans

After our walkabout in the <a href="http://Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to visit all the shops I'd wanted to, " target="_blank">Garden District of New Orleans</a>, out <a href="http://www.modenus.com/blog/category/blogtour" target="_blank">BlogTourNola</a> group was treated to a guided tour of a few select shops on the famous, and very long, Magazine Street.  Our host was up and coming designer <a href="http://shaunsmithhome.com/" target="_blank">Shaun Smith</a> who owns his own sweet little shop as well. Below are some of my favorite things and links to the shops we visited:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdhHzFqttR9SewgJC1lNUSbXJdL-ZOLZ9-KkspoH2c93JAl4Rsrlj8fk_lA8CcBDtG4y3dTaN9yiaHsHLHGI9Uzk6ZGjWRDBYJchyphenhyphen21Yml8Ol9coTgNcaYnoi7mvosBCQ7mN5DBtjHtw/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="744" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdhHzFqttR9SewgJC1lNUSbXJdL-ZOLZ9-KkspoH2c93JAl4Rsrlj8fk_lA8CcBDtG4y3dTaN9yiaHsHLHGI9Uzk6ZGjWRDBYJchyphenhyphen21Yml8Ol9coTgNcaYnoi7mvosBCQ7mN5DBtjHtw/s640/IMG_2786.JPG" width="558" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.petriciathompsonantiques.com/home.php" target="_blank">Petricia Thompson Antiques / Antiqueties d'Europe</a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDF6OI5mDrQhhrl99sWy5OTFQJKdQ5bqcINpbTjM2O0vun0V0fw4Akuk8BNQnzmifs9JEYclxu4huvMuCOn5yLeGu7wFMVb2ZjxQMMu5ZF7qLkDiwPq7hEgbZR6jc502PBHy96UBv5sM/s1600/IMG_2789.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="756" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRDF6OI5mDrQhhrl99sWy5OTFQJKdQ5bqcINpbTjM2O0vun0V0fw4Akuk8BNQnzmifs9JEYclxu4huvMuCOn5yLeGu7wFMVb2ZjxQMMu5ZF7qLkDiwPq7hEgbZR6jc502PBHy96UBv5sM/s640/IMG_2789.JPG" width="567" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.empireantiques.net/" target="_blank">Empire Antiques</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWdhHzFqttR9SewgJC1lNUSbXJdL-ZOLZ9-KkspoH2c93JAl4Rsrlj8fk_lA8CcBDtG4y3dTaN9yiaHsHLHGI9Uzk6ZGjWRDBYJchyphenhyphen21Yml8Ol9coTgNcaYnoi7mvosBCQ7mN5DBtjHtw/s1600/IMG_2786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSXzs83WNmZ70zTnj3gaOhir0jgN1r5GyjgTZbk6i4DEVz28Ju8PFItQvM1qOXwIymh0BLFtkLvp7ZexRExXwj-2uniXHR0T7XcNN0x8N1ISNqRq6TCLCTbhtrZZA30lmdt3aCYl6a4/s1600/IMG_2787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIKSXzs83WNmZ70zTnj3gaOhir0jgN1r5GyjgTZbk6i4DEVz28Ju8PFItQvM1qOXwIymh0BLFtkLvp7ZexRExXwj-2uniXHR0T7XcNN0x8N1ISNqRq6TCLCTbhtrZZA30lmdt3aCYl6a4/s640/IMG_2787.JPG" width="568" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.malachitehome.com/" target="_blank">Malachite Home</a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbQQmtQXz2h_VkzkXetHh4Itn3YRG9bU9euLA4VunaFwnBH1IKhZsNO2zA34O_-ikB5m8EE9m2uYRmJKsu182SzFKTIS3BcwORwZla5YuTup22jGUsrswa6a-M3IPNiiOrj0bALcefVY/s1600/IMG_2788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="757" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivbQQmtQXz2h_VkzkXetHh4Itn3YRG9bU9euLA4VunaFwnBH1IKhZsNO2zA34O_-ikB5m8EE9m2uYRmJKsu182SzFKTIS3BcwORwZla5YuTup22jGUsrswa6a-M3IPNiiOrj0bALcefVY/s640/IMG_2788.JPG" width="567" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bremermanndesigns.com/store/furniture_search.php?FRID=ZWnEaGZplZSb" target="_blank">Gerrie Bremermann Designs</a> - Ms. Bremermann is one of the Grande Dames of New Orleans design and her shop was just filled with exquisite finds both old and new. Her entire staff was lovely, as was she. My Skirted Roundtable co-host Joni listed Ms. Bremermann as one of her Top Ten Interior designers. Read <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2008/10/cote-de-texas-top-ten-designers-4.html" target="_blank">Joni's excellent profile here</a>. I actually will admit that I wished I had done so before I visited her shop, which is right next door to our tour guide Shaun Smith's store. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3gGMY-K99fDHbFE5zxiQfM4lm9VVAjBZ5og5tsDV63zsqG2WfFqMcnOO2di0wo6EtWOTwUbZbdDd_63DUFWeHS8-xO0yrNai1BWllT9Vk4O_PPQ1_tm_2gGwmXAikFq2Qeu9CM9hlS0/s1600/IMG_2796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="721" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK3gGMY-K99fDHbFE5zxiQfM4lm9VVAjBZ5og5tsDV63zsqG2WfFqMcnOO2di0wo6EtWOTwUbZbdDd_63DUFWeHS8-xO0yrNai1BWllT9Vk4O_PPQ1_tm_2gGwmXAikFq2Qeu9CM9hlS0/s640/IMG_2796.JPG" width="541" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://shaunsmithhome.com/" target="_blank">Shaun Smith Home</a> - a huge thanks to Shaun for putting together our little tour of his Magazine Street neighborhood and for the tasty luncheon! His own shop is imbued with his fresh, young style and filled with pieces that mix both old and new. </div><br />Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to visit all the shops I'd wanted to. I would have loved to visit Brian Batt's <a href="http://www.hazelnutneworleans.com/" target="_blank">Hazelnut</a>, <a href="http://www.perch-home.com/" target="_blank">Perch</a> and <a href="http://julieneill.com/" target="_blank">Julie Niell</a>'s lighting shop and factory.  Julie and I had been emailing about me stopping by, but aside from a quick hello on the sidewalk outside her enticing shop, we had a schedule and couldn't stop in. Some other time, Julie, aka the <a href="http://bayoucontessa.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Bayou Contessa</a>!! So nice to meet you!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFBL-A5zPy-1wptymAaJ6bFdgGDb3ucMojsa2DgARdMrjpAkeq5MNN7BVoP1M_7yMl84WR17jlHNzPkcB2hSqGCYJVSiZgx_JXbi9KO5QA9-TJsNrCkYGF-o-YKJu5JvTEwXpBw25Or0/s1600/IMG_2433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFBL-A5zPy-1wptymAaJ6bFdgGDb3ucMojsa2DgARdMrjpAkeq5MNN7BVoP1M_7yMl84WR17jlHNzPkcB2hSqGCYJVSiZgx_JXbi9KO5QA9-TJsNrCkYGF-o-YKJu5JvTEwXpBw25Or0/s640/IMG_2433.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />And I wanted to send a quick hello to the nice lady from Denver who recognized me from The Skirted Roundtable in Shaun's shop. I'm afraid I forgot to ask your name, but thank you for saying hi!  I was plopped down in a chair, sfitzing from the high-80's heat and humidity, sunburnt and feeling a little bedraggled, so you were a nice pick-me-up!<br /><br />After a quick shower back at the hotel, we headed over to the Odgen Museum for a talk given by Miles Redd about his career and new book The Big Book of Chic. We chatted with <a href="http://skirtedroundtable.blogspot.com/2012/11/chatting-with-miles-redd.html" target="_blank">Miles at The Skirted Roundtable</a> last fall and this talk included much of what we had spoken with him about. I've met or chatted with Miles a few times now and he's always the epitome of Southern graciousness. Afterwards, we headed over to Chef Susan Spicer's restaurant <a href="http://www.bayona.com/" target="_blank">Bayona</a>.  BlogTourSponsor <a href="http://www.mrsteam.com/index.html" target="_blank">Mr. Steam</a>, or more precisely Mr. Steam VP Martha Orellana (aka Mrs. Steam) was our hostess with the mostest for this wonderful dinner.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4wDtp0feDQ4pwmQVipph9xRm9vUPnvbsqWI4_rNo2VXwI-9YgpaN36UvISzaNjx6NNTMbNNjUIFq3120vq7BZ620g2adkziCjRAZz9pPG6bznb6hDzjskZN_eKuZ12gdMP4XUqcd6ac/s1600/IMG_1240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS4wDtp0feDQ4pwmQVipph9xRm9vUPnvbsqWI4_rNo2VXwI-9YgpaN36UvISzaNjx6NNTMbNNjUIFq3120vq7BZ620g2adkziCjRAZz9pPG6bznb6hDzjskZN_eKuZ12gdMP4XUqcd6ac/s640/IMG_1240.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> I dined on grilled hanger steak, fingerling potatoes and green beans in an amazing bordelaise sauce. Seriously, plate licking good. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8670054169_893b356985.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8531/8670054169_893b356985.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

BlogTourNola: Antiquing on Magazine Street, New Orleans

After our walkabout in the Garden District of New Orleans , out BlogTourNola group was treated to a guided tour of a few select shops on th...

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Surviving the Blizzard of 2013

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwmVrnA7tTKsPC-oruyuaGuOxWPIGMGnn0k3Gj3t9ivjE-7Ocnv7si-KEw6reC6VXIFUeL25WzMH0IEIYdzSQjNqJjZz8JRlEvZB4yqAKCbHvj9OrzdVMcvqIy6XwEq9bz0NTuSPW6At8/s1600/IMG_2208.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwmVrnA7tTKsPC-oruyuaGuOxWPIGMGnn0k3Gj3t9ivjE-7Ocnv7si-KEw6reC6VXIFUeL25WzMH0IEIYdzSQjNqJjZz8JRlEvZB4yqAKCbHvj9OrzdVMcvqIy6XwEq9bz0NTuSPW6At8/s640/IMG_2208.jpg" width="478" /></a></div><br />So, the Blizzard of 2013 (aka Nemo) started off gently enough...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdXr1Zm-ZfGReeRhYCXI26nACcq1HdRBNt0Hn9MVGrBtdjYOaVeOCzwx-kaM9bDrADqSnws1pScpb7YKjw1G8qkM7JXaLBDUzy9h3njXBphghWfsPZ3291xcic1KmMoPv8atAmUjz3sVa/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgdXr1Zm-ZfGReeRhYCXI26nACcq1HdRBNt0Hn9MVGrBtdjYOaVeOCzwx-kaM9bDrADqSnws1pScpb7YKjw1G8qkM7JXaLBDUzy9h3njXBphghWfsPZ3291xcic1KmMoPv8atAmUjz3sVa/s400/IMG_1078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />But didn't stay that way. Lots of wind and snow, resulting in the expected power outage. We always lose power here on Cape Cod. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE1kYrdhjb9Z7lzzhLKT8VFQfBJs4Nyesd3DasNxtmt31CRjc2OB_R2tFnFlMb5ks1G-XyjLxzpRQsSW47g3xeYGfUgUiFPjxtvLqe7dpCYtpz4C26x2D1VwMgW3LknHI8tMiORKL_Ngt/s1600/IMG_1079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOE1kYrdhjb9Z7lzzhLKT8VFQfBJs4Nyesd3DasNxtmt31CRjc2OB_R2tFnFlMb5ks1G-XyjLxzpRQsSW47g3xeYGfUgUiFPjxtvLqe7dpCYtpz4C26x2D1VwMgW3LknHI8tMiORKL_Ngt/s640/IMG_1079.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>After the dust, err, snow had settled, we have over a foot, with up to 3 foot drifts against the house. The temps dropped to the teens outside and by the end of 48 hours, the low forties inside.  We have a very small wood burning stove, which was a life saver. I spent part of yesterday shoveling out my car and the driveway and getting in to warm up, not to mention power my telephone. This above from inside my car. Note - always, always have a clear exhaust pipe and open windows when sitting in a parked car with the engine running!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlheeHGhLknUR2YSUeEOLZ2cz62vAgSWjjqqw8F5CIx_0RYnXqKyGOebGHTGl-W_6TZzGPCPj6lvD_HUArFq_D4Z8zfyfQLddyFM-MzF0Nll5DqrPZ7FgO4nZglQpjFV6_vv0oXapmieF/s1600/IMG_2211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlheeHGhLknUR2YSUeEOLZ2cz62vAgSWjjqqw8F5CIx_0RYnXqKyGOebGHTGl-W_6TZzGPCPj6lvD_HUArFq_D4Z8zfyfQLddyFM-MzF0Nll5DqrPZ7FgO4nZglQpjFV6_vv0oXapmieF/s640/IMG_2211.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>When not tending the fire in the wood burning stove, I kept warm under this vintage hand-tied quilt that I've owed for several years. Usually, it decorates a guest bed but this weekend it was put to the test and passed with flying colors! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW74vq4-kAemHN5VZWuLei6pTt4AxiYQKTInZDI_4PyZTS-0cTUporPtsko5t1i33ilNsCctVrU1TEjXSGyeguyCCwF0RJR4T2TsJmnhijwcyYSGn7jpf5E7JKg_1fIkFmaOjS38PtJWjO/s1600/IMG_1091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW74vq4-kAemHN5VZWuLei6pTt4AxiYQKTInZDI_4PyZTS-0cTUporPtsko5t1i33ilNsCctVrU1TEjXSGyeguyCCwF0RJR4T2TsJmnhijwcyYSGn7jpf5E7JKg_1fIkFmaOjS38PtJWjO/s640/IMG_1091.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br />Sunday dawned a beautiful sunny day and I was finally able to get out of my driveway by mid-afternoon. This is the grocery store parking lot. We finally got our electricity back around 8:30 last evening, just in time watch Downton Abbey! <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSzdPNrpU6eSNqMHF6HYUnLNE7GfcrpgnDc00zCMqiem_IVUAEL2cP_U8uw4kuL3k6P8R7jh9bmXp0XkvbSKwIkqwnX9dURa2dxB2ctYmsUA8DNibwa-hd6wgQZIvNETYxArmePfaVccJ/s1600/IMG_1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrSzdPNrpU6eSNqMHF6HYUnLNE7GfcrpgnDc00zCMqiem_IVUAEL2cP_U8uw4kuL3k6P8R7jh9bmXp0XkvbSKwIkqwnX9dURa2dxB2ctYmsUA8DNibwa-hd6wgQZIvNETYxArmePfaVccJ/s640/IMG_1092.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>Today was the big clean up. This little Franklin stove saved us, it really did. We cooked hot dogs in the open flames and wrapped food up in tin foil to heat in the embers. There are quite a lot of uses for wood ash including as a glass and silver polish when mixed into a paste with water and as a traction agent on ice, which I intend to try. More ideas <a href="http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/article/0,,1581470,00.html" target="_blank">here</a>:<br /><br />If you were affected by the blizzard, I hope you're safe and warm today.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/homepagerebuild/images/roadshow_home_banner_20121218-mw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="66" src="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/homepagerebuild/images/roadshow_home_banner_20121218-mw.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Meanwhile, I'll be live tweeting this evening's episode of <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/index.html" target="_blank">Antiques Roadshow</a> along with bloggers Katy Elliot, Stacy Kunstel, Mally Skok, Cynthia Bogart and others. Airing tonight is part 3 of the Roadshow's trip to Boston. The show airs at 8:00 pm tonight (check local listings) and we'll be tweeting using the hashtag #AntiquesRoadshow or click <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=antiquesroadshow&src=typd" target="_blank">here</a>. <br /><br />If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!<a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Surviving the Blizzard of 2013

So, the Blizzard of 2013 (aka Nemo) started off gently enough... But didn't stay that way. Lots of wind and snow, resulting in the expec...

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La Belle France at Boutique Belle Escape

<a href="http://www.belleescape.com/" title="Belle Escape Painted Furniture">Belle Escape</a>, a leading online retailer of hand-painted cottage style furniture, recently announced the launch of <a href="http://www.bellemaisonfrancaise.com/" title="French style furniture">Belle Maison Francaise</a> (Belle Maison), a new online store that specializes in stylish French furniture and decor.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/paris_map_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/paris_map_400.jpg" /></a></div><br />“French furniture is experiencing a modern-day renaissance,” says Donna Jensen-Madier, founder of Belle Escape and Belle Maison. “Designer showrooms are filled with gorgeous reproductions of Louis and French Provencal style furniture, featuring classic shapes adorned with finishes and fabrics that appeal to today’s aesthetic sensibilities. Belle Maison makes it easy to find the most in vogue French furniture from designer showrooms right online.”<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/imperial_foyer_table_400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/imperial_foyer_table_400.jpg" /></a></div> A revival in French furniture has been noted as one of the <a href="http://belleescape.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/french-reproduction-furniture-is-major-trend-in-2011/" title="Belle Escape Blog Top 2011 Furniture Trends">top 2011 furniture trends</a> by industry experts worldwide. Top interior designers agree.<br /><br />The folks at Belle Escape asked my views on French style in today's interiors. This is what I had to say: “I've always found that French style is consistently popular with design clients because of its timeless classic style, elegant yet comfortable designs and how well these pieces mix with more modern furniture forms.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/Carved%20Three%20Seat%20Bench_400-01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/images/P/Carved%20Three%20Seat%20Bench_400-01.jpg" /></a></div><br />Belle Maison segments its furnishings by style, including French Chic, Vintage French, Versailles Chic, Old Provence, French Country and Chateau. As a full-service online furniture store, Belle Maison offers custom finish options, special programs for interior decorators, free shipping on furniture shipped within the continental U.S. and personalized consultations.<br /><br />Visit <a href="http://bellemaisonfrancaise.com/">BelleMaisonFrancaise.com</a> <br /><br /><div style="background-color: #d5a6bd;">If you would like my help on your design project, I would love to chat with you! Please <a href="mailto:linda.m.merrill@gmail.com">email me</a>. Thanks!</div><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a> <br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

La Belle France at Boutique Belle Escape

Belle Escape , a leading online retailer of hand-painted cottage style furniture, recently announced the launch of Belle Maison Francaise (...

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Antiques are way better than dodgeball!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyXQts8fc0veF7dPFr77AhBxy1oKNveJEwSaMOHM8r9WpywDlbHNtrWiRorN2KBWnrwNJ97aQ3g49vxKNisxL7WdhwwAu9KBIG86GtDof2AwM5aGhYQDQed5wIx6vcuHamGpgWQsNQWA0/s1600/DSCN2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizyXQts8fc0veF7dPFr77AhBxy1oKNveJEwSaMOHM8r9WpywDlbHNtrWiRorN2KBWnrwNJ97aQ3g49vxKNisxL7WdhwwAu9KBIG86GtDof2AwM5aGhYQDQed5wIx6vcuHamGpgWQsNQWA0/s320/DSCN2646.JPG" /></a></div><br />Each year, the boosters of my local high school's athletic department hold an antiques show in the high school gym as a fundraiser for those sporty type kids. Okay, I live in a small town and that does sound kind of hokey. But, the Duxbury Antiques show, now in its 29th year,  is truly anything but hokey. Fifty regional antiques dealers gathered and transformed that smelly old gym into a shoppers heaven. Yes, I also attended the same high school and I was most definitely not a participant in school sports, I was in the theater/music crowd.  So, with visions of dodgeball still dancing in my head all these years later, I headed over to the antiques show yesterday.  Here are a few of my favorite finds:<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4468068503_efe65e120a_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4468068503_efe65e120a_b.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>I first heard of <a href="http://blissfarmantiques.com/">Bliss Farm Antiques</a> on Toma Haines' blog <a href="http://antiquesdiva.blogspot.com/2010/02/diva-scovery-bliss-farm-antiques.html?showComment=1267079755173_AIe9_BEWv571Id-UrX3cgKZOq11D-jUlTW1SbKDuynNJooRWBkd0bl3GPypXzOlXTC5Fqfbhk5033QQ5sA89bD8h4fswXa2qkw_Mk-jfWmQ9_rYrYDkYXndIQWKW--mPE704QvAbHAHNUl8_PYrr2a4vOVCpUdL3OjSbdXvIItcTWSTlOtrLiCsJJ3FEmG4GdmEiZYDs6CCa7SfeTeTKp-D9v2YFg5NkUm1YGdwUfiJz9cDDnVl5kT4#c4303979858774049185">The Antiques Diva</a>.  It was actually Toma's post that reminded me of the antiques show right in my own town.  Bliss Farm has a great visual aesthetic and deals in the super hot grain sacks and vintagy items that are so popular right now.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4468067031_0c66cb98a9_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4468067031_0c66cb98a9_b.jpg" width="396" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4468842646_3f3986f847_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2799/4468842646_3f3986f847_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4468076449_e8350bbf8e_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/4468076449_e8350bbf8e_b.jpg" width="544" /></a></div><br />She had a sweet collection of lavender sachets. I'd love to see the fabric that this beauty came from!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4468842282_676a66c644_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4024/4468842282_676a66c644_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br />Totally loving these French poodle knife rests.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4468068035_6f37a36a34_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4468068035_6f37a36a34_b.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br />The Scrapbook from Essex, MA showed a beautiful collection of vintage 1920's cosmetics ads by Fred Packer. How could one not have not wanted to run right out and buy what they were selling?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4468844358_3147dd60b3_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2797/4468844358_3147dd60b3_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />If I had room for it, I would have totally brought home this cute little painted table from Kathleen Fortuna Antiques of Scituate, MA. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4468844848_ecef026872_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4468844848_ecef026872_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />Of course, Quimper pottery is always a winner. These from Camille Buda Antiques of Marshfield, MA.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4468845782_a1f0ed9226_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4468845782_a1f0ed9226_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4468071175_74f7e20c55_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4468071175_74f7e20c55_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />This Shaker cheese basket had some damage, but it's so pretty isn't it? From Ciel Glynn Antiques of Cambridge, MA. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4468846772_59164809a2_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4468846772_59164809a2_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Ciel Glynn also had this adorable barber's pole. How cute would this be in a little boy's room?<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OM9akBHsLVIS71U0ckGHK_53sxBYEEr0ryl15nu5Xky_gVOwyQ2pvwfQc3jIMCW4Y-oISXIlmQoLBiOC0HDUFnziW0ayOZFixevEXRrG_luKA99yBNHBnC123jzeCym7t28DiCDWpqxQ/s1600/DSCN2663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-OM9akBHsLVIS71U0ckGHK_53sxBYEEr0ryl15nu5Xky_gVOwyQ2pvwfQc3jIMCW4Y-oISXIlmQoLBiOC0HDUFnziW0ayOZFixevEXRrG_luKA99yBNHBnC123jzeCym7t28DiCDWpqxQ/s640/DSCN2663.JPG" width="256" /></a></div><br />Here's a very rustic New England style drop from secretary at William Nickerson Antiques of Orleans, MA.  This isn't an example of high quality cabinet making, but the price was very reasonable (I forget what it was). <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4468072545_4486677271_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4468072545_4486677271_b.jpg" width="510" /></a></div><br />All right, everyone, say aww...  The teddy bear is resting against an antique candle mold. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4468072219_1bd57b8f66_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2689/4468072219_1bd57b8f66_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br />This Folk Art piece is the riser of a step - how cool is this? A big improvement over my Rubbermaid plastic step stool. A little harder to drag around, I suppose. From Robin Lloyd and Wayne Barron, Cambridge, MA. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4468075539_f09d4452ff_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4468075539_f09d4452ff_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />And the top of the step. Way too pretty to step on!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4468851332_b47556a616_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2729/4468851332_b47556a616_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />One of my favorite finds of the day is <a href="http://paintedprettyfurniture.blogspot.com/">Painted Pretty Furniture</a> based in Abington, MA. They take vintage furniture and restore them with a new coat of paint and upholstery. Mostly the pieces were small and not fine antiques, but their eye for color is fresh and the prices quite reasonable.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4468073001_42e79362b4_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4057/4468073001_42e79362b4_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4468073457_0286ab8fcb_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2701/4468073457_0286ab8fcb_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4468849200_398f6e0f35_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4468849200_398f6e0f35_b.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/4468849794_44db0c3764_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2785/4468849794_44db0c3764_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4468850300_10c97bf91c_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4468850300_10c97bf91c_b.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br />If you enjoyed these pieces from the Duxbury Antiques show, check out Toma's blog <a href="http://antiquesdiva.blogspot.com/">The Antiques Diva </a>later this week. I have a guest blog post of other great finds from the show. <br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% transparent; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

Antiques are way better than dodgeball!

Each year, the boosters of my local high school's athletic department hold an antiques show in the high school gym as a fundraiser for t...

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French Pastry Tables - Just in Time for Lent!

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dessert.net.au/images/profiteroles-w-hot-chocolate-sauce200802211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.dessert.net.au/images/profiteroles-w-hot-chocolate-sauce200802211.jpg" width="297" /></a></div>It's Ash Wednesday and the start of the long and restrictive forty day Lenten period. And so, it seemed a little ironic that I'd receive a postcard from O'Brien Ironworks showcasing their French Pastry Serving table. Suddenly, visions of baguettes and croissant, pastries and profiteroles danced in my head. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.obrienironworks.com/store/images/products/full/5016_full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="http://www.obrienironworks.com/store/images/products/full/5016_full.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">O'Brien Ironworks - <a href="http://www.obrienironworks.com/product_info.php?pid=233&cid=&id=47&n=47&paid=">French Pastry Serving Table</a> </div><br />Aside from the dancing donuts (oy, Lent is going to be long!), I was still struck by how pretty the traditional French Pastry table is with its classic scrolling legs and cool marble top. Here's a round up:<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://redesigningwomen.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/14309-iid.jpg?w=499&h=444" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="355" src="http://redesigningwomen.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/14309-iid.jpg?w=499&h=444" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">via <a href="http://redesigningwomen.wordpress.com/">The Queen's Quarters </a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lafeniceiron.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/the-madeleine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="http://www.lafeniceiron.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/the-madeleine.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">French Patisserie table <a href="http://www.lafeniceiron.com/2009/04/la-madeline-%E2%80%93-patisserie-table/">"La Madeleine"</a> from La Fenice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/StvdinCBwvI/AAAAAAAAnEg/L7yE_59Lu0Q/scan0021_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/StvdinCBwvI/AAAAAAAAnEg/L7yE_59Lu0Q/scan0021_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="524" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Antique French pastry table via <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/10/dallas-design-duo.html">Cote De Texas</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dicksonrendall-antiques.co.uk/large/245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://www.dicksonrendall-antiques.co.uk/large/245.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Napolean III French Pastry table, circa 1870 via <a href="http://www.dicksonrendall-antiques.co.uk/details.asp?id=245">Dickson-Rendell Antiques</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuFuER-esEeVb8-QTgQ-xk7zzxth33pVvRmj70kVMCqlzV2YJ-fmdrUFtMj8QSXKR5QMxt-w-ERq9JVBiX3qVW4q_9EJywzdQEuy47beJTU4WVF91dBxbSTmyFYFTf-2MUmJU48NYEtg8/s1600/bistro+table.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfuFuER-esEeVb8-QTgQ-xk7zzxth33pVvRmj70kVMCqlzV2YJ-fmdrUFtMj8QSXKR5QMxt-w-ERq9JVBiX3qVW4q_9EJywzdQEuy47beJTU4WVF91dBxbSTmyFYFTf-2MUmJU48NYEtg8/s640/bistro+table.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> via <a href="http://euroantiquemarket.blogspot.com/2009/03/portefeuille-dinvestissements.html">European Antiques Market</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://parisparfait.typepad.com/paris_parfait/images/pict0566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://parisparfait.typepad.com/paris_parfait/images/pict0566.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">via <a href="http://www.tarabradford.com/2007/02/index.html">Paris Parfait</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.georgicacreek.1stdibs.com/archivesB/upload/7793/792/french_bakers_table_c_resize.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.georgicacreek.1stdibs.com/archivesB/upload/7793/792/french_bakers_table_c_resize.jpg" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">19th century French Baker's Table from Georgia Creek Antiques via<a href="http://www.georgicacreek.1stdibs.com/store/furniture_item_detail.php?id=275835"> 1st Dibs</a>  </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SWsSULKTjyI/AAAAAAAARjw/se69pSpomF0/image96_thumb.png?imgmax=800" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_t8-Y4w1UKrc/SWsSULKTjyI/AAAAAAAARjw/se69pSpomF0/image96_thumb.png?imgmax=800" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Designer Suzanne Reinstein's kitchen via <a href="http://cotedetexas.blogspot.com/2009/01/kitchens-101-elements-to-copy.html">Cote de Texas</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">There's nothing like a beautiful piece that is also functional. Cool marble + hot buns = yum! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.mylivesignature.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://signatures.mylivesignature.com/54487/40/61AD69B5456EE9E48D48218DA34439B1.png" style="-moz-background-clip: border; -moz-background-inline-policy: continuous; -moz-background-origin: padding; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 0%; border: 0pt none ! important;" /></a></div><br /><a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml"><img alt="" src="http://www.feedburner.com/fb/images/pub/feed-icon16x16.png" style="border: 0pt none; vertical-align: middle;" /></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/EQjz" rel="alternate" type="application/rss+xml">Subscribe to ::Surroundings::</a>

French Pastry Tables - Just in Time for Lent!

It's Ash Wednesday and the start of the long and restrictive forty day Lenten period. And so, it seemed a little ironic that I'd rec...

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